Sweaty Betty - should I clip my unfit horse?

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alcraw

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Over the last year Tara has been little more than a field ornament, living out 24/7. I've been hacking her weekly since February, and she's been okay, although struggles to keep up with the TBs we ride out with (she's a 14.2 cob!). However, over the last few weeks she's been really sweating up. We're riding 3-4 times a week now - hacks between 1-2 hours, mostly walk, a bit of trot, and some short canters when we get chance. A lot of hill work though, and we end up doing more trot than the others to catch up! By the end of the ride she's a white foamy mess.

She's currently losing her winter coat, but her previous rider (owners daughter) has said maybe I should get her clipped. She has been clipped before, but she was competing then, and I won't be doing that much work with her - just hacking and a little schooling.

My plan was the let her summer coat come through, while continuing the hacking to build up fitness (she's currently keen to go, but huffing and puffing after a short canter) and see how she is in a month or so. I'd rather not clip her, as she's out and the nights can be pretty chilly, but am I being mean to let her sweat?
 
Can you just bib clip her? or an apron clip? I have to give my girl a little clip as she is a sweaty betty
She has this fairly grown out apron clip and is out naked 24/7 now
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So many to chose from to suit your horse's needs
http://www.peasridge.co.uk/clipper-advice/clippers-clipping-advice-horses-types-of-horse-clips.shtml
 
I wouldnt clip her. Personally i think it spoils the summer coat if a horse is clipped after january

The white foamy sweat is a sign of lack of fitness- it has a protein called latherin in it, which creates the foam. As she gets fitter the sweat should be less foamy. Shes a cob, so being a heavier breed it will take her longer to get fit than a Tb/lighter type.

Make sure you are giving her electrolytes to replace those lost in sweat and carry on getting her fitter- be careful not to over do it.
 
teddyt said:
The white foamy sweat is a sign of lack of fitness
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No matter how fit my cob is she always sweats, she is just a warm horse, so its not alwasy as cut and dry as that.

Also, plenty of people clip all year round, some think it ruins summer coats, other people don't think it does. Do what is best for your horse, whatever you think that is
 
I didnt say sweat was a sign of an unfit horse. But white foamy sweat is. At least its a sign that the horse is not fit enough for the work being asked of it
 
Thanks both - the apron clip looks like it might be a good idea (beautiful horse too!). I haven't given her electrolytes, but will start.

I'm going to try to build her up slowly. She's really keen, but because she'll attempt whatever is asked of her I know I need to make sure we don't overdo it. I'm a novice rider and have only had her on loan for a month, but I want to get her fit enough for some jumping (which she loves and I need to improve on) and fun rides.
 
if you are going to clip at this time of year do a hunter clip or a full clip. that way you dont get a half and half coat! keep her working and increase work gradually. if you do a long hack one day do a shorter one the next etc! as for not over doing it well you have to keep increasing the work load to increase the fitness, and most cobby types will sweat before their TB companion hackers will! its a body mass thing! and as you have only asked for consistent work since feb she wont be at full fitness yet! another couple of months of consistent work you will see a different horse coming through.
 
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